McDonagh’s kids make homemade signs for defenseman's 1,000th NHL game

Ryan McDonagh’s cheering squad is 1,000 times cuter than yours.

The Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman’s kids created homemade signs to celebrate his 1,000^th NHL game on Thursday.

McDonagh’s three kids, Falan, Murphy and Nola, held up their artwork on the glass during warmups before the Lightning’s game against the Utah Hockey Club at Amalie Arena.

“Happy 1,000 game!” one sign read. “1,000, We [heart] you Daddy!” the other sign read.

The McDonagh kids sported custom jackets that featured patches from the three teams the veteran defenseman has played for – New York Rangers, Nashville Predators and Lightning – on the front. “1,000” with “McDonagh” written in script on top of the number was stitched on the back.

In the locker room, the McDonagh kids surprised their dad and read the team's starting lineup.

During the Lightning's morning skate, McDonagh received stick taps from his teammates in honor of achieving the career milestone.

To end the night, McDonagh's dad presented him with the game puck in the locker room. The Lightning then took a team picture with the defenseman.

McDonagh is in his 15^th NHL season. He played 516 games with the Rangers, 339 games with the Lightning and 145 games with the Predators. The veteran defenseman won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lighting in 2020 and 2021.